Marcos enshrined in Vanguard hall of fame
By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:50:00 03/16/2008
Filed Under: Awards and Prizes
MANILA, Philippines—Twenty-two years after he was driven from power in a civilian uprising, Ferdinand Marcos was elevated by the University of the Philippines’ Vanguard fraternity last night to the brotherhood’s hall of fame.
Former first lady Imelda Marcos and her son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., accepted the posthumous honor given to the late dictator.
“Despite the persecution, the black propaganda, the virtual demonization of my father, you have kept faith and given him the recognition he justly deserves,” Bongbong Marcos said in the acceptance speech he delivered for his family.
In an interview before the Vanguard hall of fame rites, Marcos said the honor given by the UP organization was “the beginning of the vindication of the Marcos name.”
“Umiikot ang mundo (The world turns),” he said in an interview on the Vanguard grounds on the Diliman campus, traditionally the base of student radicalism.
“We all knew of his value, of his worth and importance. The political atmosphere in the last few years has been … obviously contrary to his memory,” Marcos said.
“I think the people are beginnning to see through the propaganda … the lies … and insincerities that his detractors have been showing,” he added.
The former first lady, on the other hand, told reporters that once the truth regarding the Marcos family was revealed, “it will be good for the Filipino people.”
The Vanguard honored Marcos for his leadership “that has been emulated by (the next) Filipino leaders” and for choosing to live “at peace with his conscience than to see blood on Edsa.”
The Vanguard is made up of former ROTC officers at UP.
“May we learn from his triumphs as well as his mistakes,” said lawyer Gilbert Reyes, chair of the board of governors of the Vanguard’s alumni group, in the fraternity’s tribute to Marcos.
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